Multnomah County Circuit Judge Richard Baldwin won an open seat on the Oregon Supreme Court edging out Portland attorney Nena Cook in an unusually tight race.

Baldwin claimed about 51 percent of the vote to Cook's 48 percent.

During the campaign, both candidates touted their experience.

Baldwin said his 35 years as an attorney in Oregon and 11 years on the bench would bring needed perspective to the high court. Baldwin, 65, started his legal career representing low-income clients, who, for example, were fighting to keep housing in landlord-tenant disputes.

As a judge, he started Multnomah County's mental health court, which connects repeat low-level offenders with services to treat the root of their problems.

Baldwin was endorsed by all 12 of current and past Appeals Court judges who have made endorsements in the race and former Govs. Barbara Roberts and Ted Kulongoski.

Cook, 46 and a partner at the law firm of Sussman Shank, said she has handled a wide variety of cases in her 21 years as an Oregon attorney. She works in commercial litigation, but said she can relate to poor Oregonians. She was raised by a single mother who couldn't always afford electricity, she said. She's represented clients on a wide range of issues, including personal injury cases, wrongful death claims, wills and divorces.

Cook also lists her experience in the Marion County District Attorney’s Office, where she worked as a certified law student from 1990 to 1991. She also highlighted her more than five years as a pro tem judge in Multnomah County.

Those experiences became a source of contention during the race: Baldwin claimed Cook exaggerated how many cases she handled in those roles. Cook stood by her record and her campaign accused Baldwin of a smear.